Was wondering what the members like using for winter bags ? Down verses synthetics ? Do some of you use a two bag system ? Should add that in the past I pulled a ski pulk around five footer with a Black Diamond Mega-Med tent or a CCS Lean Tarp. Most likely will be purchasing a Snowtrekker Tent and woodstove this month, that may change the way I think about my sleeping arrangements.

I'll take all advice on what model of Snowtrekker tent to purchase. I'm leaning towards the 8'x 12' crew-cab model with a medium stove. This tent should easily accommodate two or three and still be used solo if need be. I'll be getting a larger sled 10' to pull along with.

I am looking at a Slumberjack mummy rated to -20, in synthetic. I have 4 older down mummy bags of various makes, I should probably just take two of those. About the same wt as one new bag. The number of options for bags seems endless, good luck!

cedarboy

I have camped in cold, 0 degrees or litle lower nights, using two 20 degree rated bags nested inside each other. Was actually hot and had no cold problems whatsoever. Closed cell pad under thermarest pad. But I would make sure that if you do this, be certain the bags fit toghether loosely to trap air. Mine are a standard size down bag and an extra long synthetic that fit toghether perfectly. Smashing two bags toghether that are similar sizes wouldn't work well. Probably better just laying one bag over the other, and having good ground insulation.

I use two bags, the inside one is a smaller down bag rated at +25 and the outer is a larger/long synthetic rated at +15. They fit pretty good together.
I have been looking at a better 0degree bag however.

I would be so excited if I knew that I was getting a new Snowtrekker tent within a month! I could see some benefit to a bag that could get you though until the breakfast fire.

Here are my set ups (and personal reasons why..which may differ from what you want). These are only suggestions if you are HOT WINTER CAMPING. I have done cold as well, but have not done so since I purchased my snowtrekker!

Sleeping Mat: Exped 9. When I hike in the summer I go ultra light weight (under 25 pounds for everything, including food, water, clothes worn, boots). In the winter, since I am pulling, I tend to go luxurious (aka heavy). The exped 9 is a very large sleeping mat that uses 700 goose down. I have slept directly on the ice on a lake with this pad and it still heated up with my body warmth. This thing is awesome, but not cheap: http://www.rei.com/product/720780.

Tent: Snowtrekker Shortwall Hybrid: 8' x 11'. You can sleep 3 comfortably. 4 people is difficult because of the hot stove.

Stove: I would highly recommend getting the LARGE stove. Here are the reasons: You can use MUCH larger wood, which allows you to not have to feed the fire as much, gives you more options for what you can cut, bigger cooking area, not much weight difference (remember you are pulling it not carrying it). You can get your tent much hotter. The list goes on and on. Get the large, even if going solo.

Sleeping bag: Does not matter much if you are hot winter camping. I have a zero degree bag with my exped and it is more thn enough. Two summer bags would work also. Your tent will get cold, but all you have to do is stoke the fire and it warms up very quickly.

e-,mail me with any questions: georgethaler@hotmail.com

I am also of the 2 x 20 degree bag type. It is definately warm enough.

George,

I think that I'll purchase the Larger 10'x 13' crew cad design by Snowtrekker with a large stove. After some thought I started to think that maybe bigger would be a alot better for a few reasons.

1) When its cold and dark you"ll spend more time inside the tent since the evenings are longer.
2) I had the feeling that a tent like this will get very cramped with all one brings inside, stove, wood.
3) The larger stove seems to make more since than the medium one, I like the added heating surface.

We'll what ever I do I'll have to live with it !

I think you'd be very happy with that set up. It is hard to get upset about having to much room or to big of a cooking area. It is very easy to feel like you should have gone just a little bigger. We even bring a mini table and a couple chairs when we go up.

You were 100% correct, the nights start early so you spend a lot of time cooking, eating, playing cards, etc. Have room and enjoy!

Can't wait to hear what you end up with!

George,

Great picture!

Surprised seeing you use canister fuel, I take it that the tent was warm enough to use this fuel. Did your jetboils work good, and did you bring white gas for boiling water or just the jetboil ?

The picture looks like you have the large stove, do you let it burn out at night or fuel it all thru the night.

You don't need a jet boil or white gas, you can boil water right on the stove. HOWEVER, We bring the jet boil to make quick coffee AND for heating up soup on the way to base camp and / or day hiking.

One night, we cleaned out the whole tent and cut a huge whole in the lake (pic below was before we were done. It was about 4 times that big...my buddy has the pics). We stoked the fire, got it to at least 120 degrees F, sweat like pigs and proceeded to take a Swedish bath in the lake. That is a must for any trip (just make sure you have an ice pick and ice saw)...red rock in Ely has a nice pick that collapses.

If you want to have a real good time try a polar bear. Jump in the hole first thn go to the tent.

These are a few of the things you can do hot winter camping that I would never even consider when cold winter camping.

Yes, I have the large stove and would not recommend anything smaller. It is the perfect size. The biggest problem (as I see it) with the medium and small is getting decent sized logs into them. The large lets you get some pretty decent sized logs going. Not to mention larger cooking area, more heat, etc.

We keep the fire going throughout the night. However, by the time we realize the fire is almost out, it is pretty cold in the tent. No worries, just throw some new logs in, stoke the fire, crawl back into your bag and in a couple minutes its toasty warm.

You will want a decent bag and mat, because even though the tent gets warm, you are on the floor, which is always cooler compared to the top of the tent.

Again, if you have any questions, send me an e-mail: georgethaler@hotmail.com

Let me know what you end up geting.

What exactly are you doing in that picture?

My buddy's were cutting a large hole in the ice (so we could jump in later). We were also putting up an American Flag next to the hole.

Was there a reason for the American flag?

That's a nice hole, what did you guys use to cut it out?

No reason for the flag, just for fun.

We used a collapsible ice pick (red rock store in Ely sells them), followed by an ice saw (you have to get in the beginning of the year (usually used for ice fishing). They usually do not sell them past the end of Dec. (it is a long pole with a very large sharp blade for cutting ice).

Ice pick is essential for winter camping (getting water). The saw is just so we can make a really big hole for swimming ;-)